The West Phoenix line would extend from the existing Valley Metro line at Camelback Road and North 19th Avenue, but was already in doubt when, in 2017, the city of Glendale discontinued its participation in the planning process.
This action follows an earlier October 2018 decision when the council suspended planning on the Northeast Extension to the Paradise Valley Mall. Also at risk is the 5.5-mile South Central extension, which is being fought by local business owners and activists, as previously reported by Trains.
Each of these projects are part of the city’s voter-approved Transportation 2050 plan, funded by a 0.7 percent sales tax, with 35 percent designated for light rail, 51 percent for buses, and 14 percent for street work.
“Through a countywide proposition, residents in Maricopa County approved a regional 66-mile light rail system, which included the expansion to West Phoenix and beyond,” Valley Metro spokeswoman Susan Tierney said in a statement emailed to Trains.
Valley Metro serves a population of 4.3 million people. Its current 26-mile rail route counted 16.5 million riders in 2017, according to the National Transit Database, an increase of more than 15 percent from 2013.
Trains has just learned that the new Gilbert Road extension will go into service May 18, adding two miles of new route. Finishing touches are being put on a new station at 50th Street that will open on April 24.
Penelope, Phoenix is now and probably always be way ahead of San Antonio where the mayor is dead set against light rail. Says it is an out of date technology.
What Phoenix desperately needs is a Commuter Rail System and NOT the present-day version of the “Phoenix Felony Foley Trolley” .
The established corridors (I-10 E & W, I-17 N & S, SR-60, etc.) are now at grid lock capacity and the egregious waste of public moneys on the “Felony Foley Trolley” has done nothing to ameliorate this grid lock.
All the Felony Foley Trolley accomplished was to line the pockets of developers and realtors in gentrifying future slums and providing a transit system for Arizona State University between Phoenix, Tempe & Mesa, Arizona.
Thing is, the system as it both exists and is planned, is a long way from being a commuter system. The 10,
60, and both Loops congestion starts well beyond the planned reach of the system. Both the BNSF and ex-SP
lines are parallel to these heavily used roadways and would present a better investment of funds. As unlikely
as that sounds it’s actually worked in the LA basin.
How is it that people who write for a living show such a disdain for words? This is a proposed extension to LRT. Nothing is being cut.
They are focusing on maintaining what they already have before they build something new.
Just going to cost more money later.
As the Phoenix area grows, light rail will become increasingly important but for now I suppose the roads need to take precedence since they still carry the bulk of most traffic. As for costing more later, doesn’t every thing?
Ms. Vinson:
What you say is true but reread the article. Funds are limited, the roads are in not very good condition, and they can do only so much. This round, at least, they opted to try to do something with the roads.
This is not a rejection of the concept of light rail. It is an attempt to get the best out of what you have. There is a difference.
The above comments are general in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. Find your own damn lawyer.
Well, I guess if residents would rather sit stuck in traffic jams instead of rolling along in trains, that is their problem. It gives me another reason not to consider moving to the area!
This 1950’s ideology is disappointing. At this rate, Valley Metro will never meet the 66-mile goal of its light rail system. Dallas, Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle will remain far ahead of Phoenix in light rail miles.